Asia Expats Forum

AsiaBill · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location:

BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

My wife and I feel like we've "grown up" on this island, arriving in January 1980 when we were 25 years old before the road was finished from the provincial capital, Kalibo to Malay, Boracay's municipality on the "mainland", Panay Island. My wife and I have spent a few weeks or months on Boracay every year since we built our first beach resort, Villa Camilla, naming it after our daughter and Lorna's grandmother in 1989 - 1991. My wife, Lorna, is a "one in a million" type of person who built her first native house, one of the largest on Boracay at the time in 1980 made from bamboo and coco lumber with a nipa roof (woven palmetto leaves). Many birthday and beach parties were celebrated in her house in Diniwid with the largest balcony where over 40 "party animals" could dance. But it finally collapsed after the repeated typhoons in the month of October 1986 and due to her less than attentive caretakers.

So after meeting in Seoul, spending our first five nights together in three different countries, we agreed to meet again on Boracay for the full moon party and New Years Eve 1983-4. I'll never forget those 10 days of losing ourselves on the beach! Our present, on-going romance started in 1983, 18 years ago under Boracay's warm, starry nights. Once again, as I write, the sensual, dreamlike memories bring back that warm glow that Boracay has given to many other travlers as well. It may sound weird but we know more than a few childless couples who, after being together for years, finally conceived a child after spending a only few weeks on Boracay Island. Sound tempting? Take a break when you get the chance and don't forget to send us the baby pictures.

Afterwards because the "normal", practical concerns in life demanded our attention, we returned to Hong Kong and had some good luck doing business together in Hong Kong in 1984-1986. Then we decided to return to Boracay and build a place that would last "forever" in 1989. Since then we've thoroughly enjoyed all the changes that Boracay Island has experienced from worldwide fame and being declared "the best beach destination in the world" by the British Tourist authority in 1994. Many backpacker travelers are heading for Palawan these days seeking less developed islands but no matter which island group in the world that you explore it will be tough to match Boracay. That happy balance between comforts and conveniences which development brings and natural, dreamlike beauty with local, smiling faces without highrises of any kind has been accomplished on Boracay. The numerous availablity of low budget rentals under U$20 for a double will not limit those who'd like to visit like many "resort islands".

Everyone wants to find the "New" Boracay with an island with an undeveloped, virgin white sand beach, lined with coconut palms swaying in the tropical breeze and an easy to swim, colorful shoreline. GOOD LUCK to all of you; we know of people who have searched by helicopter for an island that resembles Boracay without success.

Boracay's white sand, coconut palm lined beach stretches for 4 kms (2 1/2 miles), making dreams of paradise and romance a reality. Offshore, the beautiful, gleaming, tourquoise sea with its warm tropical water is more inviting than any swimming pool on a steaming hot day. What a place to meet for friends and lovers to share long sunny days and memorable moonlit nights!!!

There's an incredible choice of restaurants, things to do, water sports and the most international group of travelers, tourists and "expats" in the Philippines. There are many exotic places around the world but the people you meet and share interesting conversations leave you with best, lasting memories. The locals are still mellow ( don't hassle you, for example, like the Javanese in BALI ) and friendly without the "Hi Joe, where you come from? where you going?" that you will find in many other areas of the provinces. And prices - they can range from $6 for a basic Nipa Hut in off season to over a $500 for a five star presidential suite at Paradise Gardens Resort where well known celebrities and government leaders have stayed in recent years. Where else does such a wide range of choices exist?

Some people have built beautiful private houses, others have built very comfortable native style houses; often these are for rent when they're away from Boracay. The many available cottages allow you to shop around for a great discount, often cheaper than other beaches where there's only a few choices. The "regulars" who come every winter have arranged their lives and budgets so they live several months a year on the island for as little as $300 / month!! Double that and you live very well with a companion.
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Feel FREE to ask questions about living, traveling and investing in the S.E. Asia especially the Philippines. Click on "AsiaBill" to learn more from my website. Live life as an ADVENTURE- GO FOR IT!!

AsiaBill · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location:

Heart · Joined: 29 Jan 2010 Posts: 15 Location: